Saving 100 MillionLives from Cardiovascular Disease

More than 18 million people

die each year from cardiovascular disease

More than 18 million people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD), despite the availability of effective, inexpensive, and safe prevention and treatment. Fewer than one in six people in the world live in countries that have effective policies and programs in place to treat high blood pressure and reduce sodium and trans-fat intake. While there is much more progress to be made, CVD deaths have decreased dramatically in higher income countries. Achieving similar declines worldwide would save millions of lives and reduce medical costs. Currently, less than 1% of the $35 billion spent each year on health assistance is for CVD prevention.

Less than 1% of the $35 billion spent each year on health assistance is for CVD prevention.

cvd_graph

How To Save 100 Million Lives

Resolve to Save 100 Million Lives aims to reduce the number of people dying from heart disease and stroke in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative has three components, each high-impact, not currently addressed, and with the ability to make rapid progress:

Improved treatment of high blood pressure

High blood pressure kills more people than all infectious diseases combined – nearly 10 million people a year. Treatment is low-cost, simple, and can be done by existing health programs, with funding leveraged from governments and other sources.

Elimination of artificial trans-fat

Artificial trans-fat, a toxic food additive that increases the risk of heart attack and death, can be eliminated through regulatory action and enforcement without changing the taste or increasing the cost of food, empowerment of consumers, collaboration with the food industry, and government guidance.

Sodium reduction

High sodium intake raises blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Reducing sodium in food will save lives and money, and can be accomplished through education and empowerment of consumers, collaboration with the food industry, and government guidance.

Half of CVD deaths in poorer countries among people under 70 vs. one fifth in rich countries

Shown in %

CVD deaths are decreasing in rich countries but increasing in poor countries (1990-2015)

Shown in %

OUR GOALS

Increase global control of blood pressure to

50%

Reduce global dietary sodium intake by

30%

Eliminate artificial trans fats

0%

Increasing global control of blood pressure from the current 14 percent to 50 percent, reducing global dietary sodium intake by 30 percent, and eliminating artificial trans fats from foods would prevent more than 100 million deaths from heart disease over the next 30 years. The global health care savings from effective management of blood pressure alone have been estimated at $100 billion per year.